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Open Poetry #2
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [Response to a Challenge from Balladeer]
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Open Poetry #2
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [Response to a Challenge from Balladeer]
| Open Poetry #2 |
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [Response to a Challenge from Balladeer] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle In those days of the olden, golden west Where law was fair and women the best Came the gambler, Black Jake, into St. Louis town Looking for faro or any good game around. The Riverboat Belle was in harbor ready For a trip up the ‘Sippi, and she looked steady So Black Jake thought this venture he’d take And boarded the boat, a gambler with gold stake. Dark and swarthy with mustachioed grin. he’d charm his way as he swaggered on in, all the pretty girls in their clothes of silk looked down on him; ‘twas none of their ilk. ‘Cept for Bessie, she smiled at him with charming song and the gambler Jake, gazed as if to heaven he’d gone for her beauty surpassed the others by far and to him she became his love, a shining star. He sidled up to the oak bar quick as a snake And in hushed voice, a bit quivering he quaked “Miss Bessie, I’d have you in a minute I trust, but first ‘twould make my fortune, before I may lust!” Bessie dimpled, she beamed, she took his arm, and Black Jake, overcome with her charm followed her willfully as the tables cleared While the saloon girls all hollered and cheered. “Why BJ,” Bessie simpered, smiling all the while “why don’t you play cards with me?” she said with some guile. And Black Jake, aghast at a woman so fair let his lean body relax in the solid oak chair. “Why Bessie, m’love, don’t you think you should just watch over and give me luck? Are there any real men here who would like to quick lose a buck?” Would-be gamblers gathered on in To see which way their luck would spin. Whether big or small, no matter the pot they wanted to take back what Black Jake just got. The riverboat started its trip up the river, All the gamblers had boarded from shore. Black Jake the master set Bessie’s heart aquiver While the bartender shut the Shady Side door. “Deal!” barked Black Jake in a masterful tone, the cards were shuffled, and in his smile a gold tooth shone, “Play!” he commanded, as if the commander were he, and the game progressed smoothly, with Bess on his knee. Time passed on, hazy smoke filled the air, Black Jake never left the seat of his chair. Bessie whispered sweet things in his right ear And up to his chest he pulled all his winnings right near. On the riverboat there were some everfast rules Two of them being, no cheating or fools were allowed, for there was no dirt or saloon door To throw the wayward ones out into, not even the shore. The Commander he didn’t care for the faro game But he kept all of the rules fair, just the same. It grieved him to see Bess on Black Jake’s knee But that wasn’t a rule to be broke, so to the bow went he. The game went without incident ‘til nearly three in the ‘morn Most of the gamblers looked weary, but Black Jake wasn’t worn. “Ah, Bessie, my sweet, my winnings are somewhat fair, so I ask you, is it for me and my love that you really care?” Bessie parted her pouty, red rose lips And placed her hand upon her wide hip “Ah, BJ, my love, ‘tis you for me, come to my room, I’ve a garter for thee.” And thus the game was called for good reason Black Jake left with Bess among some mild teasin’, as the rules on the Riverboat Belle in the Shady Side Saloon said all winners must leave their cash with Bess before noon. 09 Aug 99 ©KRJ ------------------ Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 09-27-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Julie Senior Member
since 1999-08-20
Posts 739Houston, TX |
So clever!...if anyone could do this, it is you. Well done! ------------------ Julie ------------------------- Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart. >George Herbert |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
That was a most excellent tale. Well written! I liked the stanza: "On the riverboat there were some everfast rules Two of them being, no cheating or fools were allowed, for there was no dirt or saloon door To throw the wayward ones out into, not even the shore." Great ending as well. Thanks for sharing. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Double post! Sorry about that. Happy days! [This message has been edited by Andrew Scott (edited 09-27-1999).] |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
wonderful..wonderful and did I say wonderful....an excellent storyteller you are Miss Sunshine.....this is one of my favorites.....by the way ..welcome back...missed you..... ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I loved it before and I love it now. Not easy to write an epic poem that holds the reader's interest throughout and You've done it extremely well. Nice, nice job. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Julie, "clever" came at a price...this one took lots of thought, and a bit of research! Pepper, what would we do without one of our favorite readers? When are you going to post a piece - besides the compliments you so freely give? Thanks for missing me... Andrew, I love double posts! Thank you for pointing out what part of this piece you liked. 'Deer, I posted this again for you - for apparently I failed to miss your response to the first posting, and I wanted you to see this, as it was in response to your challenge. This was a fun piece to work on, and indeed, I had to work! |
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The Shady Side Saloon on the Riverboat Belle [Response to a Challenge from Balladeer]